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SEMA
Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) of the automobile aftermarket was formed in 1963 by Roy Richter, Ed Iskenderian, Willie Garner, Bob Hedman, John Bartlett, Phil Weiand, Jr., Al Segal, Dean Moon, and Vic Edelbrock, Jr. and now consists of 7,144 companies worldwide, bringing together aftermarket manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, media, car dealers, specialty equipment distributors, installers, retailers and restoration specialists.
Products in this $31.85 billion-a-year industry include performance and racing components, cosmetic and functional accessories, wheels and tires, mobile electronics, safety products, restoration parts, handling equipment, drivetrain parts and more. The industry covers muscle cars, classics, luxury vehicles, sport compacts, street rods, light trucks (off-road and sport trucks) SUVs and recreational vehicles.
The largest of the SEMA events held annually is the SEMA Show held usually in late October or early November in Las Vegas, Nevada in conjunction with the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week. As part of this event, SEMA and other automotive aftermarket trade groups make-up one of the single largest events on the Las Vegas calendar. This is a title formerly held by the now defunct COMDEX show. This auto show is not open to the public. Registration as media, manufacturer, buyer or exhibitor is required.
History
Originally, the SEMA acronym stood for Speed Equipment Manufacturing Association. In 1970, government regulations became an issue and the name was changed to Specialty to improve the overall image of the association.
Founding members of SEMA
| Company | Founder |
| Ansen Automotive Engineering | Louie Senter |
| B&M Automotive Products | Bob Spar |
| Cragar Industries Inc. | Roy Richter |
| Eelco Manufacturing & Supply | Els Lohn |
| Grant Industries | John Bartlett |
| Ed Iskenderian Racing Cams | Ed Iskenderian |
| Milodon Engineering | Don Alderson |
| Moon Equipment Company | Dean Moon |
| Schiefer Manufacturing | Paul Schiefer |
| Trans Dapt | Willie Garner |
| Weber Speed Equipment | Harry Weber |
| Weiand Power & Racing | Phil Weiand |
| Dempsey Wilson Racing Cams | Dempsey Wilson |
Charter members of SEMA
| Company | Founder |
| American Racing Equipment | Jim Ellison |
| CAE Racing Products | Jim Culbertson |
| Chuchua's 4-Wheel Drive | Brian Chuchua |
| Crankshaft Company | Huey Holik |
| Edelbrock Equipment Company | Vic Edelbrock |
| Enginetics | Ruth Wilson |
| Halibrand Engineering | Ted Halibrand |
| Hedman Manufacturing Company | Bob Hedman |
| Hurst-Campbell, Inc. | George Hurst |
| Inglewood Tire Company | Bill Krech |
| J.E. Engineering | Bill Pendleton |
| Offenhauser Sales | Fred Offenhauser |
| Potvin Equipment | Chuck Potvin |
| Scott Engineering | |
| Segal Automotive | Al Segal |
| Shelby American | Carroll Shelby |
| Spalding Products | Tom Spalding |
| Speed-A-Motive | Harold Osborne |
| Thomas Automotive Products | Bill Thomas |
| Traction Master Company | Maury Leventhal |
| W&H Engineering | Bob Wyman |
Former Chairmen
SEMA Show
The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s newest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 visitors from over 100 countries in the automotive, truck and SUV, and RV markets. SEMA Show 2008 drew over 50,000 domestic and international buyers through two million square feet of exhibits. The displays are segmented into 12 sections, and a New Products Showcase featured nearly 2,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more. The next Show takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, from Tuesday, November 2nd to Friday November 5th, 2010.
